Time Machine in a Vacuum – Gadget

What is this?

Eureka RapidWash NEW430 promises to increase the convenience and efficiency of home cleaning by combining the dry suction of a vacuum cleaner with the wet cleaning of a mop. It is a cordless, battery-powered device.

It’s billed as a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the NEW400, with promises of improved performance and more user-friendly features. While we didn’t have a chance to compare it head-to-head, it’s useful to compare it to a traditional vacuuming and mopping experience. And that comparison can be summed up in one word: time.

For starters, its suction power, attributed to a 150-watt DC brushless motor and 15,000 Pascals (Pa) of suction power, dramatically reduces cleaning time. It’s on par with

high-end “upright vacuum cleaners”, but they are cordless, which increases their versatility and speed of movement.

This level of suction is effective at removing dirt and grime from hard floor surfaces, but it’s not designed for carpets. The powerful suction is complemented by a technology called RollRefresh, which integrates wetting, scrubbing, and drying into one process. According to the manual, the roller brush spins at 450 revolutions per minute (rpm). Of course, we couldn’t count that, but we could see its effect: ensuring that both wet and dry dirt are handled efficiently, at high speed.

One of the more innovative features of RapidWash is its self-cleaning function. After use, the vacuum cleaner is placed on the docking station where it undergoes an automated self-cleaning process. This involves multiple jets of water to thoroughly rinse the roller brush, then air-drying to prevent odor and bacteria build-up.

This system ensures that the vacuum cleaner is always ready for the next cleaning, without the need for manual cleaning – which also saves a lot of time.

The NEW430’s design focuses on ease of use and ergonomics. Weighing in at 3.7 kg, it is lightweight compared to traditional vacuum cleaners, and its cordless design makes it easy to maneuver. The self-propelling function further reduces physical effort during cleaning, allowing the vacuum to glide smoothly across floors. While this makes it particularly suitable for longer cleaning sessions without causing user fatigue, the limited battery life somewhat reduces this advantage.

The LED display provides real-time information about battery charge, cleaning modes and error messages, while a voice prompt helps those who may have difficulty reading the display. However, it is a bit too quiet to be heard over the noise of the machine and can be muted if it is not needed.

The real elephant in the room being cleaned is the battery life. It promises up to 25 minutes of work in Eco mode and 19 minutes in Turbo mode, which is not enough for larger homes but will work great in smaller apartments.

This means that cleaning should be planned taking into account battery life and charging time.

The water tank may need to be refilled frequently during intense cleaning sessions as it only holds 800ml and the dirty water tank has a capacity of 450ml, which can be a challenge when dealing with large spills or intensive cleaning.

How much is it?

It is not yet available in South Africa, but is expected to arrive soon. The price in the US is $280, or about R5,500.

Why does this matter?

The Eureka RapidWash NEW430 offers a combination of innovative features and practical design elements that make it a strong competitor in the wet/dry vacuum cleaner market. Compared to its predecessor, it has comprehensive improvements throughout the body, buttons, floor brush and base, offering increased functionality. It provides exceptionally efficient cleaning, greatly improved entanglement prevention capabilities and reduces the maintenance burden on users. In short, it is a time-saving machine as well as a cleaning machine.

What are the biggest negatives?

• Limited battery life may not be sufficient for large homes.
• During deep cleaning it may be necessary to refill the water tanks frequently.
• Not intended for use on carpets.
• To deactivate, press the off button multiple times.

What are the biggest positives?

• The self-cleaning function reduces maintenance time and effort.
• Cordless, lightweight and self-propelled design increases ease of use.
• LED display and voice prompts facilitate accessibility and control.
• Perfect for settling dust while vacuuming.

* Arthur Goldstuck is CEO of World Wide Worx and Editor-in-Chief of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on social media at @art2gee.